Chevrolet HHR Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Chevrolet HHR model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2011 drew the fewest (203) and the 2006 the most (1,006).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
203 | 2 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 24–26 |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
508 | 4 | Electrical system | — | 23–26 |
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
515 | 3 | Steering | — | 23–26 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
616 | 4 | Steering | — | 22–25 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
726 | 4 | Steering | — | 22–23 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
1,006 | 5 | Steering | — | 22–23 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Chevrolet HHR years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2006 Chevrolet HHR: 1,006 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 458 (46%); Electrical system 222 (22%); Structure 119 (12%).
Reports mention 47 crashes, 8 fires, 29 injuries, 4 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,822 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Chevrolet HHR: 726 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 424 (58%); Electrical system 111 (15%); Service brakes 51 (7%).
Reports mention 42 crashes, 4 fires, 28 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 74,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Chevrolet HHR: 616 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 297 (48%); Electrical system 108 (18%); Fuel/propulsion system 71 (12%).
Reports mention 30 crashes, 6 fires, 31 injuries, 4 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 75,402 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
The Chevrolet HHR years with the fewest complaints
2011 Chevrolet HHR: 203 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel/propulsion system 43 (21%); Electrical system 39 (19%); Air bags 30 (15%).
Reports mention 13 crashes, 3 fires, 16 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 59,692 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Chevrolet HHR: 508 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 151 (30%); Steering 127 (25%); Air bags 104 (20%).
Reports mention 20 crashes, 7 fires, 25 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 60,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2010 Chevrolet HHR: 515 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 231 (45%); Electrical system 119 (23%); Air bags 49 (10%).
Reports mention 19 crashes, 1 fire, 13 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 62,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Chevrolet HHR owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 203 | 13 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 59,692 |
| 2010 | 515 | 19 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 62,000 |
| 2009 | 508 | 20 | 7 | 25 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2008 | 616 | 30 | 6 | 31 | 4 | 75,402 |
| 2007 | 726 | 42 | 4 | 28 | 0 | 74,000 |
| 2006 | 1,006 | 47 | 8 | 29 | 4 | 70,822 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Chevrolet HHR recalls
- Key Can Be Removed when Ignition is not Off (2006–2011 model years; 2,191,014 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2014; 14V171000)
- Ignition Switch may Turn Off (2006–2011 model years; 2,190,934 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2014; 14V047000)
- Sudden Loss of Electric Power Steering (2009–2010 model years; 1,373,177 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2014; 14V153000)
- FMVSS 201/STORAGE BIN DOOR (2006–2008 model years; 296,422 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2008; 08V444000)
- SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR/FMVSS 102 & FMVSS 114 (2009 model year; 276,729 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2009; 09V073000)
All 7 Chevrolet HHR recall campaigns · Chevrolet HHR problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Chevrolet HHR years FAQ
Which Chevrolet HHR year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2011 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (203). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Chevrolet HHR years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2006, 2007 and 2008 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the steering. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Chevrolet HHR problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the steering (1,562 of 3,574 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet HHR have?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns covering the Chevrolet HHR. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Chevrolet HHR recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.